389
Socrates
Socrates. Well, then, if the shuttle breaks while he making it, will he make another with his mind fixed on that which is broken, or on that form with reference to which he was making the one which he broke?
5
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. On that form, in my opinion.
Socrates
Socrates. Then we should very properly call that the absolute or real shuttle?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes, I think so.
Socrates
Socrates. Then whenever he has to make a shuttle for a light or a thick garment, or for one of linen or of wool or of any kind whatsoever, all of them must contain the form or ideal of shuttle, and in each of his products he must embody the nature which is naturally best for each?
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
10
Socrates
Socrates. And the same applies to all other instruments. The artisan must discover the instrument naturally fitted for each purpose and must embody that in the material of which he makes the instrument, not in accordance with his own will, but in accordance with its nature. He must, it appears, know how to embody in the iron the borer fitted by nature for each special use.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. And he must embody in the wood the shuttle fitted by nature for each kind of weaving.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. True.
Socrates
Socrates. For each kind of shuttle is, it appears, fitted by nature for its particular kind of weaving, and the like is true of other instruments.
15
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Yes.
